John Pell's Involvement in the Settlement of the 1683 Border Dispute Between the Province of New York and the Colony of Connecticut

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In 1683, a new Governor arrived in the Province of New York.  He was Thomas Dongan.  One of Governor Dongan’s early official acts was to try to settle the decades-old border dispute with Connecticut – again.  It was during this time that John Pell of the Manor of Pelham, a member of the General Court of Assizes, became involved. 

During the autumn of 1683, likely at the urging of new Governor Thomas Dongan, Justice John Pell issued a warrant requiring constables of Rye, Greenwich, and Stamford to appear before the General Court of Assizes in New York on October 1 to be called to account for the border dispute.  The move was a rather transparent effort to invoke the jurisdiction of a Court in the Province of New York over officials physically located in the Colony of Connecticut as part of the ongoing border dispute between the two governments.  Indeed, during the October court session, Governor Dongan pled to the court that Connecticut had violated a 1664 agreement intended to settle the ongoing dispute. He also issued a letter to Governor Robert Treat of the Colony of Connecticut warning that “If you do not submitt to let us have all the land within twenty miles of Hudson’s River, I must claime as far as the Duke’s Pattent goes; which is to the River Connecticut. There is land enough for us all, and I love not to do my neighbors ill offices.”

I have written before about John Pell's involvement in the settlement of this dispute in 1683.  See Mon., Jul. 11, 2016:  John Pell of the Manor of Pelham Helped Settle the 1683 Border Dispute Between the Province of New York and the Colony of Connecticut.  In that article I provided the full text of the report prepared by commissioners, including John Pell, reporting on the proposed settlement that the parties eventually reached.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of two letters relating to the dispute exchanged between Connecticut authorities and Governor Dongan of New York.  The letters provide a fascinating glimpse of the nastiness of the long-running dispute and provide a little insight on John Pell's involvement on behalf of New York.

On October 5, 1683, the Secretary of the Council of Connecticut, John Allyn, wrote on behalf of the Governor and Council of Connecticut to the new Governor of New York, Thomas Dongan, complaining that John Pell had issued warrants "requireing the constables of Ry, Greenwich and Standford severally to appeare at N. Yorke on the 1st Wednesday in October instant, to make presentment at your grand assizes."  

The letter made indirect reference to a previous "settlement" of the border dispute in December 1664.  At that time, New York Governor Richard Nicolls led a group of royal commissioners to “end unneighborly and unbrotherly contentions” regarding the border between New York and Connecticut.  The Commissioners met with the then-Governor of the Colony of Connecticut, John Winthrop, and a group of Connecticut commissioners.  In December, 1664, colonial authorities announced an agreement to place the boundary line running north-northwest at the mouth of the Mamaroneck River.  Long Island, however, was placed entirely within the Province of New York.  The new line on the mainland, however, was well west of the line that would have been established by the Treaty of Hartford had that treaty been ratified by English royal authorities.

Governor Dongan responded by letter dated October 9, 1683.  Clearly piqued by the fact that the letter on behalf of the Governor and Council of the Colony of Connecticut was written and signed by the Secretary of the Council and not the Governor of Connecticut (Robert Treat), Dongan began his letter criticizing the failure of the Governor to sign the letter noting, irritably, that "Itt is the usuall way, when one Government writes to another, for the Chief and Principall to signe it, but since the Gentlemen have not, tis to you, Sr, that I addresse this Answer."

Dongan launched into a tirade that rehashed the entire border dispute, saying that his predecessors had been "kinder to you than some think you deserved" and made clear that he was not "obliged" to confirm practices of Connecticut settlers that may previously have been allowed.  He further made clear that he did not view Connecticut as living up to the 1664 settlement agreement and, therefore, that he would make claim to all lands to the Connecticut River.  He wrote, rather scathingly, as follows:

"you have hindred the people which belong to this Goverment from comeing hither; and not that only, but some of your Colony have come to settle within six or 8 miles of Hudson's River, and that without ny leave of this province I am informed.

"If it be so, I take it to be my Master's opinion that you have abused the former contract, if any such was, and therefore you cannot blame me to take notice of it, and make claime to the whole from Connecticut River.  

"Your pretence to Virginia, this place, and all other of the King's dominions as far as the South Sea, would be as good as the other."

Eventually, as I previously have written, Commissioners from the two colonies settled the dispute and a border roughly similar to that existing today between New York and Connecticut was the result.  John Pell of Pelham Manor played an important role in the establishment of the border that exists between these two states today.

Portrait of John Pell.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Diagram Depicting New York and Connecticut Border Disputes

Between 1636 and 1776. Source: “Border Disputes Between

New York and Connecticut” in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia

(visited Jan. 15, 2017).  NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is a transcription of the text of the two letters that form the basis of today's article.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.  All spelling in quotes used above and in the letters below is as shown in the published text.

"APPENDIX.

NO. XLIX.
THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL TO GOVERNOR DONGAN.
[Colon. Boundaries, II. 42.]

Hartford, Octobr 5th, 1683.

Honble Sr.  This being the first opportunity we have had since your arrivall of meeting in councill, we could doe no less than congratulate your safe comeing into these western parts of the world and entrance into the Govermt of his Royall Highness Territories, wishing you all prosperity and happyness therein, assureing you that we shall endeavoure amicably to deport ourselves towards yourselfe and goverment; and if any thing should happen otherwise, upon the first intimation we shall endeavour a right understanding between us.

And by the way, we can doe no less than give your Honour advice of that which transiently is come to our cognizance, viz. a warrant sd to be granted by Mr. John Pell, requireing the constables of Ry, Greenwich and Standford severally to appeare at N. Yorke on the 1st Wednesday in October instant, to make presentment at your grand assizes; nowthstanind the sd Townes are indubitably within the precincts and bounds of this his Ma ties Colony of Connecticutt, not onely by his Ma ties gracious Charter grant but by agreement and settlement of bownds between his Royall Highness' province and this Collony, as your Hon ble predecessors well knew; at which time and before, those Townes peaceably were, and ever since have continued, under this his Ma ties Goverment; the which, for the mutuall weale and safety of all his Ma ties good subjects concerned, we heartily desire may not be interupted or molested by any such injunctions or impositions from any of or good neighbours.

Hon ble Sr, we beg your pardon for this trouble, which, wth our best respects to your Honor, is all at present from any of or good neighbours.

Hon ble Sr, we beg your pardon for this trouble, which, wth our best respects to your Honor, is all at present from, Sr, 

Your affectionate neighbours & humble servants,

The Govr & Councill of his Ma ties Colony of Connecticutt,

p their order signed,

p. JOHN ALLYN, Secry.

For the Hon ble Col. Tho. Dongan Esqr.,
Govr of his Royall Highness Territories,
at Fort James, in N. York, this dd.

The Govr & Councill ordered the above written letter."

Source:  Trumbull, J. Hamond, ed., The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, May, 1678-June, 1689 With Notes and an Appendix Comprising Such Documents From the State Archives, and Other Sources, As Illustrate the History of the Colony During The Administration of Sir Edmund Andros:  Transcribed and Edited, In Accordance with a Resolution of the General Assembly, APPENDIX No. XLIX, p. 326 (Hartford, CT:  Press of Case, Lockwood & Co., 1859).

"APPENDIX.

NO. L.
GOV. DONGAN TO SECRETARY ALLYN.
[Colon. Boundaries, II. 43.  Holograph.]

New York, Octobr ye 9th, 1683.

Sr. I am much obliged to your Governor and Councill for the complements they made me, and do really desire that a firm friendship may be established, assureing you that if there be not, it shall be none of my fault.

Itt is the usuall way, when one Government writes to another, for the Chief and Principall to signe it, but since the Gentlemen have not, tis to you, Sr, that I addresse this Answer.

Tis well known that his Rll Highness has a patent for all the lands on this side of Hudson's River, and if my predecessors, as you hint, haveing power to be kinder to you than some think you deserved, were pleased to quitt the rest of the lands within twenty miles of Hudson's River, I am not, as I think, obliged to confirm it.

For, instead of being contented with that, you have hindred the people which belong to this Goverment from comeing hither; and not that only, but some of your Colony have come to settle within six or 8 miles of Hudson's River, and that without ny leave of this province I am informed.

If it be so, I take it to be my Master's opinion that you have abused the former contract, if any such was, and therefore you cannot blame me to take notice of it, and make claime to the whole from Connecticut River.  

Your pretence to Virginia, this place, and all other of the King's dominions as far as the South Sea, would be as good as the other.

I am obliged in his R. H. name to wish you to find out some course to make an end of this difference, whereby a foundation may be laid for a good correspondence, and I will not fail to acquaint the Duke with your resolutions.

Wishing your Governor and Councell all prosperity and happinesse, I do assure you that none shall endeavour to deport himself more amicably with them than, Sr, 

Your servant,

THO. DONGAN.

For Mr. John Allyn, 
Secretary of Connecticut."

Source:  Source:  Trumbull, J. Hamond, ed., The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, May, 1678-June, 1689 With Notes and an Appendix Comprising Such Documents From the State Archives, and Other Sources, As Illustrate the History of the Colony During The Administration of Sir Edmund Andros:  Transcribed and Edited, In Accordance with a Resolution of the General Assembly, APPENDIX No. L, p. 327 (Hartford, CT:  Press of Case, Lockwood & Co., 1859).

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Although I previously have provided the complete text of the report prepared by John Pell and other Commissioners from the two colonies appointed to propose a settlement of the dispute, another transcription of the report may be found here:

Source: Source: Trumbull, J. Hamond, ed., The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, May, 1678-June, 1689 With Notes and an Appendix Comprising Such Documents From the State Archives, and Other Sources, As Illustrate the History of the Colony During The Administration of Sir Edmund Andros: Transcribed and Edited, In Accordance with a Resolution of the General Assembly, APPENDIX No. LVI, pp. 337-38 (Hartford, CT: Press of Case, Lockwood & Co., 1859).

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John Pell of the Manor of Pelham Helped Settle the 1683 Border Dispute Between the Province of New York and the Colony of Connecticut

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John Pell arrived in Boston in 1670 and quickly made his way to the Colony of Connecticut to claim his inheritance from his deceased uncle, Thomas Pell, of the Manor of Pelham.  Unlike his uncle, John Pell moved to the Manor of Pelham to live there permanently.  It is believed he lived temporarily in a farmhouse built by his uncle on today’s Rodman’s Neck until he completed construction of his own Manor House near the location of today’s Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum. 

In very short order John Pell became a notable citizen and a respected Justice of the Peace and member of the General Court of Assizes in the Province of New York.  When Pell first arrived on the scene from England, however, the Province of New York and the Colony of Connecticut already had been embroiled in a boundary dispute for decades.  That boundary dispute erupted yet again in 1683.  Provincial Governor Thomas Dongan selected John Pell of the Manor of Pelham and a handful of others to serve as New York's commissioners to settle that dispute.

Border Tensions Between New Netherlands and the English Colonies

During the time the Dutch controlled New Netherland (including New Amsterdam on the Island of Manhattan), there were disputes over the border between New Netherlands and the Colony of Connecticut and other English colonies.  With English settlers pressing southwestward toward Manhattan and Dutch-sanctioned settlers pressing northeastward into areas including today’s Throggs Neck and Yonkers, in 1650, Dutch Director-General of New Netherlands, Petrus Stuyvesant, traveled to Hartford to negotiate a border with the governor of the Colony of Connecticut, Edward Hopkins.

Stuyvesant essentially traded Connecticut land claims (the New Netherland claim encompassed the full length of the Connecticut River and as far east as Narragansett Bay) in order to get a clear boundary on Long Island.  Stuyvesant and Hopkins agreed on a Connecticut line fifty Dutch miles west of the mouth of the Connecticut River.  On Long Island, a line would be drawn south from the westernmost point of Oyster Bay, through modern Nassau County.  Although the Dutch West India Company approved the treaty, the English royal authorities never ratified it.  Thus, the border remained in question and the so-called “Treaty of Hartford” remained a source of tension between the Dutch and English for many years. 

Efforts in 1664 to Settle the New York – Connecticut Boundary

In 1664, England took control of New Netherland from the Dutch.  Even before that, English settlers in Connecticut and those in the New York region were battling over the boundary that would separate the two colonies.  King Charles II of England sent Richard Nicolls to serve as Governor of the Province of New York and to lead a group of royal commissioners sent with him to “end unneighborly and unbrotherly contentions” regarding the border between New York and Connecticut.  The Commissioners met with the then-Governor of the Colony of Connecticut, John Winthrop, and a group of Connecticut commissioners.

In December, 1664, colonial authorities announced an agreement to place the boundary line running north-northwest at the mouth of the Mamaroneck River.  Long Island, however, was placed entirely within the Province of New York.  The new line on the mainland, however, was well west of the line that would have been established by the Treaty of Hartford had that treaty been ratified by English royal authorities. 

The Dutch Retake New York, Lose It, and Governor Edmund Andros Arrives

For a short time in 1673, the Dutch retook New York.  Because the 1664 agreement had actually added large swaths of land to Connecticut on the mainland up the Hudson River, Connecticut did not want the 1650 line proposed by the Treaty of Hartford to govern.  For a short period, Connecticut resisted any suggestion by the Dutch that the 1650 line governed the boundary between Dutch-controlled lands and Connecticut.

In early 1674, however, Dutch and English authorities signed the Treaty of Westminster that, among other things, returned New Netherland to the English.  Governor Edmund Andros arrived in New York in 1674 with a new royal patent for the Province of New York claiming all lands up to the Connecticut River – well within the Colony of Connecticut as denoted by the line agreed to by the commissioners as announced in December, 1664.  Thereafter:

“Gov. Andros showed a markedly aggressive tack in his negotiations with Connecticut. In May 1675, Andros sent a letter asking for land west of the Connecticut River under the Duke's new patent.  When Gov. Winthrop objected, Andros sent a representative in June to demand Connecticut's submission, threatening to send soldiers against any rebellion.  During this time of high tensions between the colonies, King Philip's War broke out in 1675.  Andros attempted to use this to consolidate lands under the Duke's [new] patent [that granted lands all the way to the Connecticut River to New York]. At the start of the war, Andros sent troops to Fort Saybrook, nominally to defend.  However, Winthrop's troops arrived first, and held the fort themselves.  Andros requested that Winthrop temporarily relinquish Connecticut's claim to the area in order to strengthen the united defense.”

Source:  “Border Disputes Between New York and Connecticut” in Wikipedia:  The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jun. 25, 2016).

New Governor Thomas Dongan Arrives in 1683 and Settles the Matter – Again

In 1683, a new Governor arrived in the Province of New York.  He was Thomas Dongan.  One of Governor Dongan’s first official acts was to move to try to settle the border dispute with Connecticut – again.  It was during this time that Justice of the Peace John Pell of the Manor of Pelham became involved. 

During the autumn of 1683, likely at the urging of Governor Thomas Dongan, Justice John Pell issued a warrant requiring constables of Rye, Greenwich, and Stamford to appear before the General Court of Assizes in New York in October.  During that court session, Governor Dongan pled to the court that Connecticut had violated the 1664 agreement.  He also issued a letter to Governor Robert Treat of the Colony of Connecticut warning that “If you do not submitt to let us have all the land within twenty miles of Hudson’s River, I must claime as far as the Duke’s Pattent goes; which is to the River Connecticut.  There is land enough for us all, and I love not to do my neighbors ill offices.”

Source:  "GOVERNOR DONGAN TO GOVERNOR TREAT" in Trumbull, J. Hammond, ed., The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut May, 1678 – June, 1689; With Notes and an Appendix Comprising Such Documents from the State Archives, and Other Sources, as Illustrate the History of the Colony During the Administration of Sir Edmund Andros, pp. 329-30 (Hartford, CT:  Case, Lockwood & Co., 1859).

Representatives of the two colonies agreed to a new border similar to the one that exists today, placing the settlement of Rye in New York and the settlements of Greenwich and Stamford in Connecticut.  The Province of New York appointed a commission of four respected citizens, one of whom was a surveyor, to survey and place the new line.  Those commissioners were John Pell of the Manor of Pelham, John Youngs, Robert Vauqellin, and Phillip Welles (the surveyor).  The Colony of Connecticut, in turn, appointed a commission to join the New York Commission consisting of Major Nathan Gold, Captain Jonathan Sellick, Ensign Daniel Sherman, and Mr. John Harriman (a surveyor).

On Wednesday, October 4, 1684, the commissioners of the two colonies  met in Stamford.  According to a report filed by the New York Commissioners the following February (February 23^rd):

“Wee went to Lions Point on ye east side of Birom River and from ye mouth of sd River where itt falls into ye Sea, we measured up the said River and found itt to be one mile and halfe and twenty rodds, bearing North halfe Easterly, and so came to a great Rock stone at ye Wading Place, where the road cutts ye sd River, and from thence directed our course North North West, six miles and a halfe, and there marked DRCC [In the form of a diamond with “D” containing a hooked line through it at the top and then, in clockwise order: “R” “C” and “C”] three white oake trees as in the margeant; thence directed our course West and by North seven miles and one hundred and twenty rodds, which brought us to ye Northernmost end of a Reach of Hudson’s River, which bears as we judged South and by West a quarter Westerly, and North and by East a quarter Easterly, which above-said line falls upon the sd Reach about Three miles above Frederick Philips upper Mills over against Tapan, and ye said River bearing North as to itts generall course upwards, we conclude the above mentioned West and by North line to be the shortest from sd Three marked Trees to Hudson’s River, and having unanimously concluded that part of the Sound from Lions Point Easterly to beare East North East, we did from said Trees at eight mile distance run a parallel to the Sound, vizt. East North East twelve miles, and still continued ye said Twelve Mile line East North East one mile and sixtyfour rodds, which then gave twenty miles from Hudson’s River, and is eight miles North North West from ye Sound.  Then finding the Oblong of twelve miles East North East and eight miles North North West did deminish sixty one thousand foure hundred and forty acres from ye twenty miles from Hudson’s River, we added to ye abovesaid twenty miles upon ye East North East line, three hundred and five rodds more, to run at yt additional breadth, parallel to Hudson’s River, till it meets with the Mathethusetts Line, which we demed one hundred miles distant from our eight mile line, which severall courses, with theire destances, together with the three hundred and five rodds added, doe clearly appear in ye Platt by the surveyers drawne and hereunto annexed; which addition of three hundred and five rodds we refer for itts confirmation and ratification to the two Governments from whence we are imployed; and that the above written is a true report of our proceedings, we have this tenth day of October, one thousand six hundred eighty and foure, subscribed our names in Standford.”

Source:  See full text of report and citation below.

Though John Pell and his colleagues did their part to settle the boundary lines, disputes over the line between New York and Connecticut continued for nearly another hundred years – long after the death of John Pell of the Manor of Pelham. 

Portrait of John Pell.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Diagram Depicting New York and Connecticut Border

Disputes Between 1636 and 1776.  Source:  

“Border Disputes Between New York and Connecticut” in

Wikipedia:  The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jun. 25, 2016).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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“REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND SURVEYORS, FOR LAYING OUT THE LINE BETWEEN CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK.

[Col. Boundaries, II. 46.]

Pursuant to a Commission from the Right Hon ble Thomas Dongan, Governour Generall of all his Royall Highnesses Territories in America, &c., bearing the date the 26^th day of September, 1684.*  [Footnote “*” reads:  “* Doc. Relating to the Hist. of N. York, III. 356.”]

Wee underwritten did upon the first Wednesday of this instant October meet, at ye towne of Stanford, Major Nathan Gold, Capt. Jonathan Sellick, Ensigne Daniel Sherman, Mr. John Harriman † Surveyor commissionated at a Generall Court held att Hartford, as by theire comission they produced bearing date May the eighth, 1684, doth fully appeare.  [Footnote “†” reads:  “† Mr. John Harriman, (grad. H. C. 1667,) had previously been employed by the General Court to make observations for determining the Colony’s north bounds, and the correction of Woodward & Saffery’s line.  See p. 33 ante.”]

Wee went to Lions Point on ye east side of Birom River and from ye mouth of sd River where itt falls into ye Sea, we measured up the said River and found itt to be one mile and halfe and twenty rodds, bearing North halfe Easterly, and so came to a great Rock stone at ye Wading Place, where the road cutts ye sd River, and from thence directed our course North North West, six miles and a halfe, and there marked DRCC [In the form of a diamond with “D” containing a hooked line through it at the top and then, in clockwise order: “R” “C” and “C”] three white oake trees as in the margeant; thence directed our course West and by North seven miles and one hundred and twenty rodds, which brought us to ye Northernmost end of a Reach of Hudson’s River, which bears as we judged South and by West a quarter Westerly, and North and by East a quarter Easterly, which above-said line falls upon the sd Reach about Three miles above Frederick Philips upper Mills over against Tapan, and ye said River bearing North as to itts generall course upwards, we conclude the above mentioned West and by North line to be the shortest from sd Three marked Trees to Hudson’s River, and having unanimously concluded that part of the Sound from Lions Point Easterly to beare East North East, we did from said Trees at eight mile distance run a parallel to the Sound, vizt. East North East twelve miles, and still continued ye said Twelve Mile line East North East one mile and sixtyfour rodds, which then gave twenty miles from Hudson’s River, and is eight miles North North West from ye Sound.  Then finding the Oblong of twelve miles East North East and eight miles North North West did deminish sixty one thousand foure hundred and forty acres from ye twenty miles from Hudson’s River, we added to ye abovesaid twenty miles upon ye East North East line, three hundred and five rodds more, to run at yt additional breadth, parallel to Hudson’s River, till it meets with the Mathethusetts Line, which we demed one hundred miles distant from our eight mile line, which severall courses, with theire destances, together with the three hundred and five rodds added, doe clearly appear in ye Platt by the surveyers drawne and hereunto annexed; which addition of three hundred and five rodds we refer for itts confirmation and ratification to the two Governments from whence we are imployed; and that the above written is a true report of our proceedings, we have this tenth day of October, one thousand six hundred eighty and foure, subscribed our names in Standford.

JOHN YOUNGS

JOHN PELL

ROBERT VAUQELLIN

PHILLIP WELLES Surv r. *  [Footnote “*” reads “* The names of ‘Nathan Gold, Jonathan Sellick, Daniel Sherman and John Herriman, Commr’s for Connecticut,’ are also subscribed to this report, -- as published in the Report of the New York commissioners, (1857) App. O. p. 118.”]

Millford, February the 23d, 1684-5.  The Report made by the within mentioned persons is this day assented unto, and ratified by us; & it is ordered that it be recorded in the books of Record for both Governments, as witnesse o r [our] hands.

[Signed] Tho: Dongan

[Signed] Robert Treat

Witnesses.

J. PALMER

J. SPRAGGE

JOHN YOUNGS

NATHAN GOLD

WM JONES

JOHN ALLYN

JOHN NASH

WILLIAM PITKIN.”

Source:  Trumbull, J. Hammond, ed., The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut May, 1678 – June, 1689; With Notes and an Appendix Comprising Such Documents from the State Archives, and Other Sources, as Illustrate the History of the Colony During the Administration of Sir Edmund Andros, pp. 337-39 (Hartford, CT:  Case, Lockwood & Co., 1859).

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Pelham Once Was Part of Yorkshire in the Province of New York

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The period between 1664 and 1683 is a fascinating time in the history of Pelham.  Thomas Pell, who acquired the lands that became the Manor of Pelham from local Native Americans in 1654, did not reside on his lands.  Rather, during the period before his death in late September, 1669, he managed those lands from his home in Fairfield in the Colony of Connecticut.  In 1670, Pell's nephew and principal legatee, John Pell, arrived in New England and proceeded to Connecticut and then to Pelham to claim the lands he had been bequeathed.  

During this time, the region was experiencing great change.  On August 29, 1664, forces loyal to the Proprietor of the Province of New York, the Duke of York, captured New Amsterdam from the Dutch and proceeded to take all of New Netherland.  They renamed New Amsterdam as New York and constituted the Province of New York to include large parts of today's New York (including New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and Albany) as well as parts of New Jersey, Vermont, and even southeast Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The first English colonial governor of the Province of New York was Richard Nicolls.  Under his guidance, the so-called "Duke's Laws" were prepared and distributed throughout the Province.  This was, in effect, New York's first set of English statutes to govern the conduct of New Yorkers.

The only unit of local government created by the Duke's laws was a unit named "Yorkshire."  Though often referenced as a county, Yorkshire was a slightly different entity that might best be described as a governmental administrative area.  It encompassed parts of the region of today's New York City that included English settlers:  Manhattan, today's Westchester County, Long Island, and Staten Island.  It was named after Yorkshire, England in northern England, an administrative area or "shire" so named-because it encompassed the City of York.  As one scholar has written about Yorkshire in the Province of New York:

"The only unit of local government created by the Duke's Laws was the county of Yorkshire.  It contained the areas of English occupation -- Long Island, Westchester, and Staten Island -- and like its namesake, it was divided into three ridings.  The east riding comprised the towns at the east end of Long Island (now Suffolk County); the west riding, the middle section of Long Island (parts of Suffolk, Nassau, and Queens counties) and Staten Island; and the north riding, the west end of Long Island (Queens and Kings counties) and Westchester.  The focus of administration in the ridings was the court of session.  The officers of the court were justices of the peace and under-sheriffs who were chosen by the governor.  Their duties were to hear appeals from the town courts, supervise the collection of taxes, and entertain petitions from aggrieved individuals or towns.  The high-sheriff of the county supervised the work of the courts of session.  In theory, he was chosen from nominations made by the sessions in a three-year cycle.  In practice, the governor chose his own man and kept him in office as long as he liked.  As the chief liaison with the towns the sheriff had to be someone who had the confidence of the governor."

Source:  Ritchie, Robert C., Duke's Province:  A Study of New York Politics and Society, 1664-1691, p. 35 (Chapel Hill, NC:  The University of North Carolina Press, 1977).

After his arrival in the Manor of Pelham in late 1670, John Pell became a friend of then New York Governor Francis Lovelace.  Pell was appointed a Justice of the Peace to serve in  the north riding of Yorkshire encompassing the west end of Long Island (today's Queens and Kings Counties) and today's Westchester County.

The Dutch briefly recaptured New York from the English in August, 1673.  Within a few weeks the local government structure returned to that which had been in place during the original Dutch reign over New Netherland.  Theoretically, at least, Yorkshire was no more.  

Only weeks later, on February 9, 1674, the Treat of Westminster ended the Anglo-Dutch War and transferred the territory that had been the Province of New York back to British control.  The English colonial authorities promptly re-instituted the governmental structure that previously existed, including Yorkshire that included the Manor of Pelham.  

On November 1, 1683, English colonial authorities eliminated Yorkshire.  The various ridings were converted into counties.  The North Riding that included the Manor of Pelham was converted into Westchester County (including much of the modern Bronx County), Queens County (including much of the modern Nassau County), and New York County.  

Thereafter, the Manor of Pelham no longer was part of the administrative area known as Yorkshire.  Rather, it was part of Westchester County.

Burr, David H., "Map of the County of Westchester" (1829).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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